[HISTORY: Adopted 11-9-2017 by Ord. No. 2280-17. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The purposes of this chapter are:
(1) 
To establish a requirement and procedure for the licensing of individuals and entities providing municipal towing and storage services to the Township of Lawrence;
(2) 
To establish, in the interest of public safety, a uniform policy for the towing and storage of motor vehicles;
(3) 
To establish uniform fees for towing and storage services.
(4) 
It is the purpose of this chapter to establish a nondiscriminatory method of rotating calls between all registered operators requesting to provide municipal towing services at the request of, on behalf of, or for the Township of Lawrence or its Police Department.
B. 
This chapter shall apply to all motor vehicle towing and storage operations performed at the request of the Township of Lawrence.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BASIC TOWING SERVICE
Private property towing and other nonconsensual towing as defined in this section and other ancillary services that include the following: arriving at the site from which a motor vehicle will be towed; waiting 15 minutes; hooking a motor vehicle to or loading a motor vehicle onto a tow truck; cleanup; transporting a motor vehicle to a storage facility; unhooking or unloading a motor vehicle from the tow truck; and situating the motor vehicle in the space in which it will be stored. "Basic tow" also includes issuing documents for the release of a motor vehicle to its owner or other person authorized to take the motor vehicle; issuing an itemized bill; three trips to the motor vehicle in storage, which, if applicable, include making a vehicle available to an insurance appraiser or adjuster; issuing documents for the release of a motor vehicle to its owner or other person authorized to take the motor vehicle; and retrieving a motor vehicle from storage during the hours in which the storage facility is open. Basic tow does not include a recovery of a motor vehicle from a position beyond the right-of-way or berm, or from being overturned or impaled upon any other object within the right-of-way or berm.
BUSINESS OFFICE
The business office of the towing operator where the towing operator shall conduct business associated with the towing and storage of vehicles.
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of the Lawrence Township Police Department or his/her designee.
DECOUPLING
Releasing a motor vehicle to its owner or operator when the motor vehicle has been, or is about to be hooked to or lifted by a tow truck, but prior to the motor vehicle actually having been moved or removed from the property.
IMPOUNDED VEHICLE
A vehicle that is towed by an officer from the Lawrence Township Police Department for a reason that requires a vehicle release form to be obtained prior to the vehicle being released from the storage facility.
MATERIALS
Includes any product used to absorb oil, antifreeze and any other fluids leaking from a vehicle (e.g., Speedy Dry and/or absorbent-type material).
MOTOR VEHICLE
Includes all vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power, except such vehicles as run only upon rails or tracks and motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, motorized wheelchairs and motorized skateboards.
NONCONSENSUAL TOWING
The towing of a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle. "Nonconsensual towing" includes towing a motor vehicle when law enforcement orders the vehicle to be towed whether or not the owner or operator consents.
PERSON
An individual, a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or any other business entity.
RECOVERY
A tow operator using his skill and knowledge to preserve the condition of a motor vehicle while uprighting an overturned motor vehicle or recovering it from a position beyond the right-of-way or berm, or from being impaled upon any other object within the right-of-way or berm to a position where it can be towed.
SECURE STORAGE FACILITY
A storage facility that is either completely indoors or is surrounded by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet high and is lighted from dusk to dawn.
STORAGE FACILITY
A space at which motor vehicles that have been towed are stored by the towing operator.
TOWING
The moving or removing from public or private property or from a storage facility by a motor vehicle of a consumer's motor vehicle that is damaged as a result of an accident or otherwise disabled, is recovered after being stolen, or is parked illegally or otherwise without authorization, parked during a time at which such parking is not permitted, or otherwise parked without authorization, or the immobilization of or preparation for moving or removing of such motor vehicle, for which a service charge is made, either directly or indirectly. Dues or other charges of clubs or associations which provide towing services to club or association members shall not be considered a service charge for purposes of this definition.
TOWING LIST
The list maintained by the Township Police Department containing the names of those actively registered towing operators whom have contracted with the Township to provide municipal towing services for the Township.
TOWING OPERATOR
Any person in the business of, or offering the services of, a towing service whereby motor vehicles are or may be towed or otherwise removed from one place to another by the use of a motor vehicle adapted to and designated for that purpose.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Lawrence, Mercer County, New Jersey.
VEHICLE
Any device in, upon or by which a person or property is or may be transported upon a highway.
A. 
Any towing operator desiring to provide municipal towing services for the Township must file an application with the Township, meeting the requirements of this section, and enter into a contract with the Township.
B. 
The Township shall secure a contract with those towing operators who filed applications with the Township and desire to provide municipal towing services for the Township. The contract shall provide for an annual review of the towing operator's services and compliance with this section. The contract shall prohibit subcontracting by the towing operator.
C. 
The contract with the Township shall be for a period of three years. At the expiration of the three-year term, in order to continue to provide municipal towing services for the Township, the towing operator shall file a new application, with the required submissions, and enter into a new contract with the Township.
D. 
Applications may be submitted to the Township at any time. New tow operator contracts may be awarded by the Township and entered onto the on-call towing list at the beginning of each calendar year. The Chief of Police may include a new tow operator onto an existing on-call towing list when such inclusion is in the best interest of public safety. The contract shall not be exclusive, with the Township being able to award contracts to multiple towing operators at any time.
E. 
The Township shall have the sole discretion to deny a contract with any towing operator failing to file the requisite application or to meet the requirements of this section. All applications for a contract for the provision of municipal towing services filed with the Township shall be granted or denied by the Township Council, based upon the recommendation of Chief of the Township Police Department, or his designee, upon review of same.
A. 
No person shall be eligible to provide municipal towing services for the Township until it submits an application with the Township.
B. 
An application for municipal towing shall be made, in writing, to the Township Clerk, in the form prescribed by the Township Clerk, and shall be accompanied by a fee of $400, which is nonrefundable and covers the Township's costs in processing the applications.
C. 
The applicant shall state the complete street address of the location or locations from which the business of towing shall be conducted, indicating which its principal location is and which is its storage facilities, which shall meet the requirements of § 423-11. The applicant shall provide a copy of a valid certificate of occupancy for the storage facility for automobile related uses.
D. 
The applicant shall identify and provide a description of its towing vehicles, including vehicle registration number, weight, number of wheels and purpose, with which the applicant intends to provide towing services. All towing vehicles shall meet the requirements of Section § 423-6. The applicant shall provide copies of the equipment manufacturer's specification for each piece of equipment.
E. 
The applicant shall provide the name, address and driver's license number of the applicant and all employees of the applicant that are expected to be involved in the operation of the applicant's vehicular equipment for the towing of motor vehicles. All drivers for the applicant shall be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid New Jersey driver's license for the operation of the towing equipment.
F. 
The applicant shall authorize a criminal background check of the applicant and all of its employees and agents, including the obtainment of a New Jersey driver's abstract. The background check shall also require a fingerprint background check by IdentoG by MorphoTrust USA. All applicants, employees and agents shall set up an appointment to be fingerprinted by going online to www.bioapplicant.com/nl. The costs associated with obtaining the criminal background checks shall be the responsibility of the applicant and payment is required during scheduling. New Jersey Universal Fingerprint Forms are on file at the Lawrence Township Police Department's Records window and can be picked up during normal business hours. (NOTE: Fingerprinting of applicants—this applies to new towing applicants who have never towed in Lawrence Township or have lapsed in towing service with Lawrence Township.)
G. 
The application shall include a valid original certificate of insurance from an insurer authorized to do business in the state, at the minimum amounts set forth in § 423-8.
H. 
The applicant shall disclose whether the applicant, or any of its employees or agents, is subject to any of the disqualifications specified in § 423-6.
I. 
The applicant shall provide written proof of a minimum of five years towing experience.
J. 
The applicant shall provide a minimum of three references of the applicant's towing experience.
K. 
The applicant shall provide copies of all certifications for its employees as follows:
(1) 
Each "light duty" driver must obtain a certification for such operation from a nationally recognized organization.
(2) 
Each "heavy duty" driver must obtain a certification for such operation from a nationally recognized organization.
(3) 
Each "recovery supervisor" must obtain a certification for such operation from a nationally recognized organization.
(4) 
The nationally recognized organizations that are acceptable for the Township are:
(a) 
Towing and Recovery Association of America (800-728-0136).
(b) 
Wreck Master (800-267-2266).
(c) 
Garden State Towman's Association (732-530-4782).
L. 
The applicant shall furnish any additional information concerning the personnel, vehicles, equipment and storage facilities of the applicant as may be required by the Township Clerk or Chief of the Township Police Department during the review of the application.
M. 
If any of the information required in the application changes, or if additional information should be added after the filing of the application, the applicant shall provide that information to the Township Clerk, in writing, within 30 calendar days of the change or addition. Any application to add an additional driver during the contract term shall be accompanied by a fee of $35 plus the costs incurred under § 423-4F.
N. 
The applicant shall provide a certified statement of the willingness of the towing operator to be available on a twenty-four-hour, seven-day-per-week basis, and to abide by the instructions and directions of the Chief of Police, his subordinates, and the provisions of this section. Such towing operators shall further provide the telephone number or numbers available on a twenty-four-hour, seven-day-per-week basis, and the names, addresses and New Jersey Motor Vehicle driver's license numbers of all the towing operator's employees.
O. 
The applicant shall provide a certified statement of compliance with the minimum requirements of § 423-6.
A. 
Any towing operator providing municipal towing services shall have a minimum of two vehicles that meet the minimum standards set forth below:
(1) 
At least one-light duty wrecker with a minimum chassis rating of 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, equipped with a hydraulic boom rated for 8,000 pounds, a hydraulic wheel-lift with 3,000 pounds lift capacity, and with dual hydraulic winches each having an 8,000 pound capacity, and equipped with 100 feet of 3/8 inch wire rope.
(2) 
At least one flatbed-type wrecker with a minimum chassis rating of 25,500 pounds gross vehicle weight, equipped with a minimum twenty-one foot bed and equipped with a hydraulic wheel lift with 3,000 pounds lift capacity.
(3) 
In addition to foregoing requirements, if the towing operator applies for heavy-duty towing assignments, the towing operator must own a heavy-duty wrecker with a minimum chassis rating of 33,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, with a hydraulic boom rated for a minimum of 35 tons, hydraulic under-reach with a minimum 45,000 pounds lift capacity, and dual hydraulic winches, and must have tandem rear axles.
(4) 
All vehicles must be equipped with a communication device (cellular phone), cab-mounted amber emergency warning lights (conforming to New Jersey Motor Vehicle law standards and all light permits being obtained), tow sling type bars with rubber straps and/or wheel lift capability with safety straps to prevent damage to towed vehicles, and with steering locks for towing vehicles from the rear.
A. 
The Township may deny, suspend or revoke any contract for municipal towing services upon the recommendation of the Chief of the Township Police Department, or upon other proof that the towing operator, or any of its employees or agents:
(1) 
Has obtained a registration through fraud, deception or intentional misrepresentation;
(2) 
Has engaged in the use or employment of dishonesty, fraud, deception, misrepresentation, false promise or false pretense;
(3) 
Has engaged in gross negligence or gross incompetence;
(4) 
Has engaged in repeated documented acts of negligence or incompetence;
(5) 
Has had a towing operation registration or license revoked or suspended by any other state agency or authority for reasons consistent with this section;
(6) 
Has violated or failed to comply on more than three occasions with the schedule of tariff or fee regulations herein; or
(7) 
Has been convicted of:
(a) 
A crime under Chapter 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes;
(b) 
Motor vehicle theft or any crime involving a motor vehicle under Chapter 20 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes; or
(c) 
Any other crime under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes relating adversely to the performance of towing services or the storage of motor vehicles as determined by the Chief of the Township Police Department.
B. 
A final refusal to register, or the suspension or revocation of a registration by the Township shall not be made except upon reasonable notice to the applicant, and an opportunity for the applicant to be heard by the Township Council. The hearing is at the option of the applicant.
C. 
In the event the application has been denied, the applicant will have 10 business days to provide written notice to the Office of the Chief of Police stating if the applicant requests a re-inspection of a storage site, equipment or request to amend any information contained in the written application. No more than two re-inspections or application amendments may be requested.
D. 
All re-inspections or review of application amendments must be completed within 20 business days from the receipt of denial of the initial application.
E. 
There shall be a fee of $75 for each re-inspection or review of application amendments, in addition, to any application fees.
A. 
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to establish a system of rotation for the assignment of contracted towing operators to provide municipal towing services required pursuant to this section. The rotation system shall be established on a nondiscriminatory and nonexclusionary basis. Only towing operators with executed contracts with the Township shall be assigned to the rotation list. A towing operator shall be added to the rotation list pursuant to § 423-3. All new contracted towing operators shall be assigned to the rotation list at the bottom of such list.
B. 
The rotation list shall be composed so as to permit a reasonable rotation of contracted towing operators. This will be done on a per-call basis. The revolving list applies to basic towing and heavy duty towing services. Once the on-call towing operator has been utilized, the next tow call goes to the next contracted towing operator. If the towing operator currently on call under the rotation list cannot respond and provide the required municipal towing service, the Township shall move to the next towing operator on the rotation list. If no towing operator on the rotation list is able to respond and provide the required municipal towing service, the Chief of Police may deviate from the rotation list and arrange for another towing operator to provide such service.
C. 
Notwithstanding the above rotation list, in the interests of public safety, the Chief of Police, in his/her discretion, taking into account the emergency, safety and location of the situation, may part from the rotation list and call for the closest available towing operator to respond.
In addition to the insurance requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.3, as may be amended from time to time, all towing operators providing municipal towing services must maintain the following insurance policies, naming the Township as an additional insured:
A. 
Motor vehicle liability for a tow truck capable of towing a motor vehicle that is up to 26,000 pounds, for the death of, or injury to, persons and damage to property for each accident or occurrence in the amount of $750,000, single limit; and
B. 
Motor vehicle liability for a tow truck capable of towing a motor vehicle that is more than 26,000 pounds, for the death of, or injury to, persons and damage to property for each accident or occurrence in the amount of $1,000,000, single limit.
C. 
Garage keeper's policy. A garage keeper's liability policy in the minimum amount of $100,000, and "on-hook" coverage, for each vehicle damaged on a separate claim.
D. 
Garage liability policy. A garage liability policy covering applicant's business, equipment and vehicles in the minimum amount of $500,000 for any one person injured or killed, and a minimum of $1,000,000 for more than one person killed or injured in any accident and an additional $100,000 for any damage arising from injury or destruction to property, and/or a combined single limit of $1,000,000. In addition to each policy containing an endorsement showing the Township as an additional insured, such policy shall also provide an endorsement entitling the Township to 30 days' prior written notice to the Chief of Police in the event of any change in coverage under the policy, or in the event of the cancellation of the policy.
E. 
Workers' compensation policy. A workers' compensation policy covering all of applicant's employees and operators, containing statutory coverage, including liability coverage of at least $500,000 for each accident per person, $500,000 policy aggregate limit per disease, and $500,000 for each disease per person.
F. 
Umbrella liability insurance policy in the amount of $5,000,000, which shall be applicable to all liability coverage required above.
Any contract entered into by the Township with a registered towing operator pursuant to this chapter shall include a provision whereupon the registered towing operator assumes all liability and shall indemnify, defend and save the Township, its committees, boards, departments, agents, and employees, harmless from damages (including attorneys' fees and court costs) or losses sustained by vehicles while being towed, stored or released from towing operator's possession, and from all personal injuries and property damage occurring to any persons, or property, as a result of the performance of the towing operator's services, including, but not limited to, towing, storage, or other such activities relating to the municipal towing services. All responsibility for the release of a stored vehicle shall be on towing operator only.
A. 
A towing operator may only charge a fee for those towing and storage services set forth in the following schedule, plus the cost of any additional equipment needed for recovery, plus the cost of any materials, parts or fuel (per calendar day).
[Amended 3-2-2021 by Ord. No. 2382-21]
Basic Tow Fee
Fees
Light-duty rate
(less than 8,601 G.V.W.)
Tow: $160 (flat rate)
Recovery: $200
(Per hour, per truck)
Medium-duty rate
(less than 16,000 G.V.W.)
Tow: $220
Recovery: $350
(per hour, per truck)
Heavy-duty rate
(greater than 16,000 G.V.W.)
Tow: $450
Recovery: $600
(per hour, per truck)
Storage
Fees Outside
(not to exceed)
Fees Inside
(not to exceed)
Light duty
$45 per calendar day
$50 per calendar day
Medium duty
$90 per calendar day
$100 per calendar day
Heavy duty
$125 per calendar day
$200 per calendar day
Road service
$125 per call
Decoupling fee
$80 per call
Tarp/wrapping vehicle
$65 per vehicle
Labor minor cleanup and disposal of debris
$55 per hour plus absorbent materials used
Specialized Recovery Equipment
Fees
Rotator/crane recovery unit
$1,200 per hour
Tractor with landoll trailer or detach trailer
$450 per hour
Tractor transport hauler only
$250 per hour
Refrigerated trailer w/tractor
$450 per hour
Box trailer w/tractor
$400 per hour
Air cushion unit
$1,000 per hour
Light tower
$250 per hour
Pallet jack
$200 per flat
Rollers
$200 flat rate
Any other specialized equipment
$250 per hour
Loader/backhoe/telescopic handler/bulldozer/bobcat
$300 per hour each
Forklift
$300 per hour
Dump truck/dump trailer w/tractor
$350 per hour
Roll-off w/container
$350 per hour plus disposal
Recovery supervisor vehicle
$150 per hour
Scene safety equipment, communication equipment, traffic management equipment, etc.
$250 per hour each type used
Recovery support vehicle/trailer additional recovery equipment
$350 per hour
Specialized recovery fee (extra man needed for a recovery)
$125 per man
B. 
A towing operator may not charge a service fee for towing and storage services that are not included in the schedule approved by the Township.
C. 
A towing operator must accept all forms of payment, such as cash, check, debit card, charge card or credit card, for towing or storage services if the operator ordinarily accepts as payment at his place of business.
D. 
A towing operator that engages in private property towing or other nonconsensual towing shall calculate storage fees based upon the calendar day that the motor vehicle is in the storage facility. For example, if a motor vehicle is towed to a storage facility at 7:00 p.m. on one calendar day and the owner of the motor vehicle picks up the motor vehicle on or before 7:00 p.m. the next calendar day, the towing operator shall charge the owner of the motor vehicle for two calendar days of storage.
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2332-19; 3-2-2021 by Ord. No. 2382-21]
E. 
A towing operator's bill for services shall include the time at which a towed motor vehicle was delivered to a towing company's storage facility, if applicable.
F. 
Municipal storage rates. Storage fees to be charged to or on account of the Township for the storage of Township owned or operated vehicles shall not exceed those fees permitted by N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.50.
A. 
The towing operator providing municipal towing services must tow all vehicles to a storage facility that:
(1) 
Has a business office open to the public between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at least five days a week, excluding holidays;
(2) 
Has the ability to provide inside secured vehicular storage;
(3) 
Has the ability to store a minimum of 10 vehicles;
(4) 
Is safe and secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet high and a passive alarm system or a similar on-site security measure;
(5) 
If it is an outdoor storage facility, is lighted from dusk to dawn: and
(6) 
Is located within three driving miles of any Township border.
B. 
The towing operator shall provide reasonable accommodations for after-hours release of stored motor vehicles and may charge a release fee for releasing motor vehicles to their owners after normal business hours or on weekends. The fee shall not be in excess of $100.
All towing operators who have entered into contracts with the Township to provide municipal towing services shall be obligated to comply with the following duties and regulations:
A. 
Remove and tow to the designated storage facility all vehicles directed by the Chief of Police to be removed and towed because such vehicles are in the Chief of Police's sole discretion designated as abandoned, illegally parked, disabled, involved in an accident, or to be impounded because of criminal or other investigation. At the sole discretion of the Chief of Police, taking into consideration safety concerns, the owner or operator of a disabled vehicle may be permitted to arrange for the vehicle to be towed by a towing operator of his/her choice.
B. 
Store such vehicles and move such vehicles as directed by the Chief of Police. When not otherwise directed or required by the Chief of Police, the owner or operator of a disabled vehicle may request that the vehicle be towed to a location other than the designated storage facility. Upon direction of the Chief of Police, the towing operator shall not release a vehicle towed which is subject to a criminal investigation, an impoundment, including, without limitation, compliance with "John's Law," without a vehicle release form or prior authorization by the Chief of Police.
C. 
Provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service to the Township during the term of the contract.
D. 
Not utilize answering machines or answering services when on call under the rotation list.
E. 
Respond promptly to all requests for municipal towing services by the Chief of Police. In any event, the towing operator shall respond and be present at the location (all locations within the Township) for municipal towing services within 25 minutes of receipt of notice. If severe weather conditions or excessive traffic congestion prevents the towing operator from arriving within the aforementioned response times, the towing operator shall contact police communications and advise them of the reason for the delay. In the event a towing operator does not arrive at the tow location within 25 minutes and fails to notify police communications without a valid reason, the police officer on the scene shall have the right to have a substitute towing operator called to the location who will have the right to perform the municipal towing services; and the originally called towing operator shall have no right to payment from any party.
F. 
Not charge any fee for replacement of damaged or broken towing equipment incurred at the scene of the tow.
G. 
Tow or perform road service to any and all disabled Township owned or operated vehicle upon request by the Chief of Police to a location within the Township. The towing operator will not charge the Township for the towing and/or recovery of Township owned passenger vehicles or pickup trucks within two miles of the Township border to a location within the Township. All other towing of Township owned or operated vehicles shall be charged pursuant to § 423-10 at a 20% discount. Nothing herein shall limit the Township from utilizing the towing services provided for in any public bid contract.
H. 
Clean up all broken glass and debris at the scene of accidents which shall include any fluids leaked onto the roadway. (All towing operators must be equipped with a broom, shovel and Speedy Dry).
I. 
Ensure that all drivers and operators of the towing operator must wear ANSI Class 2 reflective safety vests or clothing at all times when responding to a request by the Township.
J. 
Furnish additional towing equipment and services during storm periods, periods of snow emergencies, traffic emergencies, natural or other disasters, any acts of God, and for any other reason when so designated by the Chief of Police. Such standby service shall begin and end when the Chief of Police notifies the towing operator. The Township reserves the right, during any such emergency, to designate temporary areas owned or leased by the Township and/or the towing operator for the storage of disabled vehicles, and to direct the towing operator to remove such disabled vehicles to said areas.
K. 
Record all vehicles towed and/or stored and retain such records for a period of seven years. The Township shall, upon request, be provided with a copy of any and all records evidencing that a vehicle has been towed and/or stored by the towing operator. Such records shall include a report of all personal property found within a towed vehicle that can be observed by the towing operator at the time the vehicle came into the towing operator's possession, an accounting of all monies received for fees for towing, and a separate accounting of all monies received for fees for storage services pursuant to this section. The Chief of Police shall have access upon demand, to any and all records required to be kept by this section.
L. 
The towing operator must comply with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1 through 39:10A-7 regarding the storage and proper disposition of stored vehicles.
M. 
In all of the towing operator's dealings with the public, the towing operator shall act in a professional manner, courteous at all times, and respectful to members of the public, as well as representatives of the Township. Reports of discourteous behavior by the towing operator or his drivers that may be substantiated and documented, shall be considered by the Township as sufficient cause for revocation and termination of the towing operator's registration, and be considered as material default under any contract entered into with a towing operator pursuant to this chapter. Any discrepancies with dispatching procedures shall be addressed with the Lawrence Township towing coordinators, the Investigation Division Commander or Administration Division Commander, Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
N. 
The tower shall notify the Investigative Division-designated contact person within 10 business days of taking possession of a towed vehicle regarding subsequent towed vehicle if arrangements have not been made by the owner or the insurance company for the towed vehicle to be retrieved from the tow yard.
[Added 3-2-2021 by Ord. No. 2382-21]
No towing operator shall respond to the scene of an accident or emergency for the purposes of towing a vehicle unless specifically notified by the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, or the individual involved in the accident or emergency. All persons, towing operators, and owners of towing equipment are hereby prohibited from soliciting business at the scenes of accidents and emergencies within the Township.
Any person having a dispute or complaint arising from a specific act of towing or storage of motor vehicles which is regulated by this chapter shall present that complaint or dispute to the Chief of Police for resolution. The Chief of Police shall render his decision as to how the said complaint or dispute is to be resolved within 10 days of his conducting a hearing as to the same. Such hearing can be in person, by telephone or on written presentation at the election of the Chief of Police. In the event of an adverse decision against a registered towing operator, said registration may be revoked. Any appeal of the Chief of Police's decision may be appealed to the governing body of the Township.
A. 
If the licensee fails to arrive at the scene of the towing request within the allotted time (as outlined in § 423-12E) three times in a thirty-day period his license will be suspended for seven days. Written notification will be given by the Police Department for each violation. There will be no refund of licensee fees for suspended licenses.
B. 
If the licensee misses three calls within a thirty-day period, his license will be suspended for 30 days. Written notification will be given by the Police Department for each miss. There will be no refund of licensee fees for suspended licenses.
A. 
This chapter shall be enforced by the Lawrence Township Police Department or the Township Clerk.
B. 
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter, including the failure to register with the Township as required herein, shall subject such violator, upon issuance of a summons and conviction in municipal court, and at the court's discretion, to the fines and penalties set forth for each such violation.
C. 
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter may also subject the violator to a revocation or nonissuance of the contract with the Township. If a towing operator's contract is revoked pursuant to this provision, such towing operator is barred from reapplying with the Township for the remaining portion of the current towing contract with the Township.
D. 
In addition to any penalties or other remedies provided herein, the towing operator that has billed a person an amount in excess of the fee established in § 423-10 shall reimburse such person for the excess cost.